Ternate Beach in Cavite

After our rainy day hike in Pico de Loro we headed to Boracay de Cavite to clean up, it was located inside the premises of Marine Base in Ternate, Cavite. We were disappointed to know that it is no longer open for public use, hence we looked for alternative beach near the area and so we ended up in Ternate Beach Resort.

The beach is composed of fine grain grayish sand and strong splurges of waves were present due to the recent aftermath of Monsoon rain. Thus, I cannot tell if the natural state is pristine and clear water or is it really murky and brown.

Ternate beach by itself is not a worth it visit if it's the only place you are planning to go on your trip, but it is a nice side trip after an ardous hike from Pico de Loro or Mt. Marami.

How to Get There:

1. Ternate Beach is a nice sidetrip from Pico de Loro, you can flagged trikes and ask them to drop you off in Ternate Beach.

2. In reality, it is not an advisable place to visit if you don't have your own vehicle due to it's accesibility.

Laiya Beach

The Southern Tagalog, specifically the province of Batangas is one of the most famous tourist destination in the region with it's fair share of scenic landscapes, mountains and of course beautiful beaches. Fifteen towns in Batangas lies in the coastline of  the West Philippine Sea, whereas beach resorts in the said province are some of the places that tourists loves to visit due to it's close proximity from Metro Manila.

Laiya is the coastline barangay of San Juan, Batangas which borders Quezon province in the North and is about 140 km. South of Manila. The coastline stretches a total of 12 km. and is composed of fine grain sand that varies between white, cream and gray sand. Several private resort can be found along the beach front that offers places to stay but the Pinoy Solo Traveler opted to just take the Public Beach.

The beachfront is enveloped with Mt. Lobo at the backdraft giving it a paradise like setting.

How to Get There:
I.). In Cubao/LRT Taft there are buses (ALPS) that has direct route to San Juan (Batangas).
     Once in San Juan town proper, ride a jeepney bound for Laiya.

II.) Another option is to ride a bus bound to Lucena, then alight in Candelaria town proper.
     Ride a jeepney bound to San Juan, and once in San Juan ride another jeep bound to Laiya.

Revisiting Matabungkay Beach

Matabungkay Beach is located in the town of Lian, Batangas. According to the locals it was “rediscovered” in the early 1950s by Germans who were looking for a go-to paradise within proximity to the bustling Manila. Since then, Matabungkay transformed into a tourist destination from a simple fishing village. The shore is enveloped in a cove and is strewn with ashen sand and off-white fine grain sand that sparkles a white glow when struck by sunlight. It is bordered landward by a long, cramped lane of resorts and stores. 

The waters of Matabungkay is clear, vivid and calm with no strong splurges of waves. It does not also have a sudden deep section making it safe for swimming even for children. One interesting feature of the beach are the traditional bamboo floating rafts or balsas (floating cottages) that can be rented for a day. Also available for rent are the Banana Boat, Jet Ski, Pedal Boat and Speed Boat to complete a total beach experience.

 

 

How to Get There:

1.) You can ride a bus bound for Nasugbu, then alight at Lian Town Proper.

2.) Once in Lian, you can then ride jeepneys bound for Matabungkay Beach.

Mindoro Black Beach in Vigan

The not so familiar beach in Vigan is located in the coastline of Brgy. Mindoro of the said city. Playa de Oro Resort, is the only resort that caters to the Black Beach that is comprised of fine grain black sand, it faces the West Philippine Sea and a picturesque sunset can be best viewed here.

As Black Beach is not popular to Filipno beach goers, the opposite goes to foreign tourist who will die for a black beach sand. According to some locals that i've talked to, the beach was legally and illegally mined in the previous years before the locals protested and halted the quarrying. As it turned out the sand is rich in iron ore or magnetite, a precious mineral commodity. 

It's a nice place to visit when in Vigan, the place is not crowded - fresh air and calm waves from the sea will greet anyone who wishes to relax and be alone with nature.

How to Get There:

1. Once in Vigan, just tell the Trike driver that you are interested to visit the Mindoro Black Beach. It's way above the normal fare. 

Urbiztondo Beach of San Juan, La Union: Surfer's Paradise of the North

Located in the town of San Juan in La Union, Urbiztondo Beach is the closest surfing spot from Manila (6 hours). Urbiztondo Beach may not have fine grain and white sand, but what makes it special are the powerful waves ideal for surfing. It is the entry point of surfing spots in the Ilocos region and  surfers, most especially beginners loves this area which is  known for its peeling waves and short rides. 

Learning to surf here is very inexpensive compared to other surf spots around the world. The town’s surfers have organized themselves into a club, and they give lessons to everyone who are interested to learn surfing. 

How To Get There: 

1. From Manila, ride a bus bound for San Fernando, La Union.

2. Once in San Fernando, you can ride a jeep/bus bound for San Juan (Bacnotan, San Juan, Candon), tell the driver to drop you off in Urbiztondo Beach.

Tondaligan Blue Beach

Tondaligan Blue Beach is one of the most accessible beach in Pangasinan and is located in Dagupan City - also known as the the Bangus (Milkfish) Capital of the Philippines. It may not have a white sand like that of Tondol Beach in Anda, but it's close proximity from the city proper plus the fine grey sands and pristine clear waters makes it one of the most popular beach in the said province.

Tondaligan Beach is cradled by the 72-hectares Tondaligan People’s Park, the local government has tried to restore the beach to it's former glory. It is a common picnic area for local tourists: tables and cottages for rent are available, however the cottages are not for overnight stay,  there are a also a number of simple kiosks selling cold drinks and grilled foods.

How to Get There:

1. Ride a bus bound to Dagupan.

2. From Dagupan, ride a jeep bound for Bonuan/Tondaligan.

Umbrella Rocks of Agno

The town of Agno is located on the Western portion of Pangasinan, which is characterized by rolling terrains and ricefields on the way to the town proper. It is the home of Sabangan Beach, it may not have white sand, yet it offers a different attraction popularly known as the Umbrella Rocks. These massive rocks has a diverse marine eco-system showcasing beautiful corals, different sea creatures and is surrounded by crystal clear water facing the West Philippine Sea. Even with the recent aftermath of typhoon "Lando" one could still see the picturesque view of the place.

The dazzling beauty of umbrella rocks is a work of the natural elements through a number of geological periods, some experts says that the rocks are actually corals and were formed by the incessant lapping of tidal waves against the shore through the centuries.

Aside from the famous Umbrella Rocks, Sabangan beach also has an old lighthouse wherein you can see the panoramic view of the beach. It will take less than hundred steps to the old light house.

How To Get There:

1.) Ride a bus bound to Alaminos City (Pangasinan)

2.) Once in Alaminos you can then ride a Jeep bound for Agno.

3.) Another option is to ride a bus bound for Agno (only Dagupan Bus) has direct trip to Agno and only 4 trips daily.

Tondol White Beach

Located on the island of Anda in the North Western tip of Pangasinan. Tondol White Beach is the most beautiful beach in the said province, it lies in the stretch of Lingayen gulf on the northern part of the Hundred Islands. Also known as the "Little Boracay of the North", it offers a fine grain of white sand, clear and unspoiled waters that offers a paradise like setting. Even with the recent aftermath of typhoon "Lando", it only proves that Tondol Beach is one of the must visit places in Pangasinan.

A nearby island can also be found along Tondol beach,  "Tanduyong Island" which is almost a kilometer away and can be reached by a boat. It takes a minimum of 10 passengers for the boat trip to the island (100 pesos per person). It's just unfortunate that when I visited the place I was the only one around and I could not afford to pay 10 shares. Some locals said it can also be reached by foot when the tide is low, and in my opinion it is the closest thing to Boracay.

How To Get There:
1. Ride a bus bound to Alaminos City in Pangasinan.
2. Once you are in Alaminos, ride a jeep or mini bus bound to Anda.
3. You can then ride a Trike bound for Tondol Beach.

Historic Lingayen Beach

Lingayen Beach (Gulf) played a crucial part in Philippines history. Situated on the northwest coast of Luzon, it suffered two invasions during World War II: the first, in 1941, was by the Japanese; the second, three years later, by the returning American forces. Lingayen Gulf was taken over by the American troops on the 9th of January 1945. This beach was occupied by the Allied forces of US and Filipino soldiers and has become one of the supply depot during the Pacific War.

Lingayen Beach boasts not of white sand or colorful seashells but rather fine grey sand, the shore is a long stretch of more than 2 kilometers  where anyone can relax and enjoy under the sun.

Vintage war memorabilia used during World War 2 are also on display on the Veteran's Memorial Park located beside the Lingayen beach which includes: tank, war plane and an anti air craft gun.

How to Get There:

1.) Take a bus bound to Alaminos/Bolinao (FiveStar), they have terminals in Cubao and Pasay.

2.) Tell the conductor to drop you off in Lingayen Capitol.

Puting Buhangin (White Sand) Beach

Located in  Isla Polo, Pagbilao in the province of Quezon, about 170 kms. south of Manila, "Puting Buhangin Beach" has become one of the most popular yet unspoiled beach near Manila. It offers fine, white grain of sand and pristine clear water making it one of the most beautiful beach that is not yet fully commercialized. It's just too bad that when the Pinoy Solo Hiker went to the place it was high tide with powerful splurges of giant waves caused by "Hangin Habagat", so much for the spoiler.

What makes it unique though, is the other attraction known as "Kwebang Lampas". A cave located in the coastline of the beach. Puting Buhangin has live up to it's name which means "White Sand" in English. It is like a hidden treasure, situated in the island of "Isla Polo" it can be reach by boat or by land. Traveling by land offers a unique view of the countryside, terrain of rocky hills and Western Philippine Sea gives a prime experience of travel. Once you reach the jump off point; one will have to go trekking through bushes, mangroves, rocky cliffs and muddy stream just to reach the famed Puting Buhangin which is situated beside Pagbilao Power Plant. But in the end, it's all worth it.

How to Get There:

1.) Ride a bus bound for Lucena. Once in Lucena take a jeep bound for Pagbilao.

2.) In Pagbilao, you can then ride a jeep bound to "Polo". Tell the driver that you are going  to  Kwebang Lampas/ Puting Buhangin to drop you off in the Trike Terminal.

3.) Tell the trike driver to drop you off in the jump off point for Kwebang Lampas.

4.) In the jump off point you will have to take a boat to cross the other side of the river.

5.) Once on the otherside of the river, you can then trek your way to Puting Buhangin Beach also known to the locals as Lukang Beach.